ARTSdiningentertainment
Photos by Andrew Lightman
Susan Jacobs
An Eastern Market Potter Turns Disaster into Opportunity
by Pattie Cinelli apartment a few blocks from the Market since 1969 having to create anew. “And that’s what happened,”
and been a full time potter there since 1973. “I love she smiled. “I won’t ask for that again.”
making pots.” She’s had to start from scratch with unfamiliar
T he media saturated the city with stories on
the destruction of Eastern Market by fire this
past spring. The city and community were swift in
Susan walked every day to her job, so when
Eastern Market was gone, Susan expanded her pe-
equipment and materials. She now fires her pots
in a new electric kiln (the one at the Market was
coming to the aid of the vendors housed in the gut- rimeter seeking a new home for her trade. “It was gas), she uses a new kind of clay, which throws dif-
ted building. But not much notice was taken of the serendipitous that I found the studio at 320 3rd St., ferently, and experiments with new glazes. “I liked
business that had made its home in the second floor NE. I saw a “For Rent” sign on the studio, but there my other glazes and we had a wonderful kiln that
of the market for 40 years. Eastern Market Pottery was no phone number. I made a mental note to try I used for years, but sometimes you need a kick
was destroyed, pisplacing potters and students, and to find out about it.” A few days later, a friend of in the pants. I didn’t ask for it, but appreciate it
obliterating equipment and inventory. The business another potter told her about a studio just vacated when it happens.” When Susan used the old kiln
did receive money from the city and support from by a rock band in an alley in Northeast that was for she would look at how it was heating the pots and
the community, but relocating was up to those who rent. She gave Susan the number, which turned out altered the temperature by her judgment. “I fired
livelihood was most at stake. to be for the smae place Susan saw. it by the seat of my pants. Now I program a com-
Eastern Market Pottery owner Chuck Brome “It’s a great location, but very different from puter and it does all the work.” The pots she throws
and full-time potter Susan Jacobs combed the being at Eastern Market. People wear suits and are similar but, because of the different materials,
area looking for an appropriate location for the heels in this neighborhood. Around the market you she finds herself doing her work a little differently.
business. “Thank God the fire happened in good don’t see that as much.” For example, Susan’s pots are smaller but still are
weather,” said Susan. “Wandering around the Hill When I talked to Susan in her new space, her functional – pottery that you can use. “In many
was an adventure. I saw parts of the Hill I didn’t attitude was amazingly positive for a person whose ways it’s exciting. I’m having a good time.”
know existed.” entire inventory of work was wiped out overnight. Although she misses the Market, she enjoys
It’s hard to believe that there is any part of She quoted Oscar Wilde, “In this world there are exploring the new neighborhood. She often walks
Capitol Hill with which Susan was not familiar. only two tragedies. One is not getting what one to the National Gallery, Union Station or Litteris
Most days, Susan, who does not own a car, walks wants, and the other is getting it.” Susan said she near Gallaudet University for lunch. She still sells
miles around the Hill. She’s lived in the same used to daydream about selling all of her pots and at the Market on weekends.
86 ★ HillRag |January 2008
Susan didn’t start out want-
ing to be a potter. She studied
COME JOIN US FOR LUNCH
English in college and was a
child welfare worker for the
city of New York in the sixties.
When wanderlust struck, Susan
quit her job and traveled across
country camping out in Cana-
da. “When my money ran out, I
came to Washington to visit my
college roommate. I got a job
and took up roots.”
She first got her hands wet CHECK OUT
throwing pots when she was
working at the National Gallery OUR DELICIOUS
of Art in the late ‘60s and early
‘70s. She took lessons from a
woman with whom she worked
DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS
and continued her lessons at
Eastern Market Pottery for
two more years. “When Chuck
asked me to be his apprentice, I
DINE ON OUR HEATED PATIO
took the leap, quit my job and
never looked back.”
TUNNICLIFF’S TAVERN
In those days apprentices
didn’t get paid. “I got my space
and materials for free. I worked
mixing glazes, making tools The Gathering Place On The Hill…
– anything Chuck needed.
Whatever I made and sold was
mine.” Susan laughed. I’ve been Right next to Eastern Market Metro across from Eastern Market
lucky to have generous fam- Tunnicliff’s Tavern Sandy Irvin: 202-544-5680
ily and friends who supported 222 7th Street SE Phone: 202-544-5680 • Fax: 202-544-9630
me in many ways. I think they Washington, D.C. 20003 Email: tunnicliffs@gmail.com
thought I would starve.”
Susan often works sev-
en days a week and teaches
a pottery class in the studio
on Wednesday evenings. She
appreciates having her own
hours and her alone time but
said she misses the camara-
derie of knowing everyone at
the Market.
Susan Jacobs faced a real
challenge and has come out of
it ahead. After 35 years of do-
ing the same thing, at the same
place in the same way, she has
been able to reinvent herself,
adjust to a change of scene and
create a new direction in her
work. “I’m really enjoying it
as much as I ever did. It’s nice
having something new.”
Classes at Eastern Market
Pottery are ongoing and are of-
fered Monday through Thursday
evenings. A weekday afternoon
class is possible depending on
interest. For more information
call: 202-544-6669. ■
capitalcommunitynews.com ★ 87